Bennie Doyle Davis

Bennie Doyle Davis, age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 10, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital.

Bennie was born on December 18, 1932 in Red Oak, Iowa to Dorothy and Hayden Davis. Hayden, Dorothy, and little Bennie returned to Lincoln, Missouri shortly after his birth to make a living at farming.

Bennie attended and graduated from Lincoln High School where he was a star basketball player. It was there on the court where he caught the eye of a young cheerleader named Eleanor Y. Berry. Bennie, and his good friend Kenny Hare, along with his cousin Harvey Dean Rank were always in some kind of mischief. One particular Halloween, Bennie, Kenny, and Harvey Dean put a Hay Wagon on top of the school. There was never a dull moment when you were around Bennie.

Bennie married Eleanor after graduating High School and a short time later joined the U.S. Army where he deployed to Germany. After his service in the U.S. Army, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and worked at the Procter and Gamble Plant. It was in Kansas City where Bennie and Eleanor had their first child, Doyle Dwayne Davis. Three years later, they had their second child, Sherri LeaAnne Davis. Bennie and his family lived in Kansas City for many years until he was called back to Lincoln Missouri to help out his parents on their family farm.

In 1969, Bennie married Beulah Nowlin at Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri. Beulah had three children when they were married. The oldest is Royce Kelb, currently in Lincoln Missouri, Gary Kelb, currently in Palm Springs California, and Anita “Tootie” Wheeler, currently in Harrisonville Missouri. Bennie and Beulah spent many years working and living on the farm before they sold it and moved into town.

Bennie absolutely loved nature and outdoor activities. He loved fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and tractor pulls. He also had a knack at growing a very productive garden. Bennie loved the outdoors so much that later in his life he accidently started a small mowing business in Lincoln, Missouri. He mowed a few lawns for some neighbors that needed some help and before long, after some recommendations to others, he had a small business. Bennie, along with his son Doyle, worked and mowed lawns up until his health began to decline. Doyle continues to run the Business today.

Bennie was preceded in death by his wife Beulah in 1997. Bennie is survived by his children: Doyle Davis, Sherri Davis, Royce Kelb, Gary Kelb, and Anita Wheeler and their spouses. He had several grandchildren: Dwayne Davis (deceased), Nick Davis, Travis Davis, Stephanie Finn, Flavius Garmacea, Joseph Kelb, and Jessica Kelb, their spouses, as well as numerous great-grandchildren. Bennie will always be remembered for his infectious laugh, sayings, silly jokes, and having scratch off lottery tickets in his shirt pocket. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. His motto was “Boy howdy! If you’re going to be a bear… be a grizzly!”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to allow family to travel. In lieu of flowers, please donate to : Harry S . Truman VA Hospital, “VOLUNTARY SERVICES” 800 Hospital Dr. Columbia Missouri 65201.